Features-The Jerk's 5 favorite Netflix shows 2/17/14

5. Family Guy- I tend to go on Family Guy kicks.  When I start watching, and get into a good streak of episodes or seasons, I can't stop watching.  Unfortunately Family Guy has been an extremely inconsistent show, though it is on what may be its final upswing right now.  My problem with Family Guy has always been that Seth MacFarlane puts entirely too much of himself into this particular show.  He uses Brian as his political and spiritual mouthpiece, which unfortunately leads to an insufferable, pretentious mutt.  There is a time and place to voice your opinion, Seth.  An animated network show where you live and die by fart jokes and chicken-battle cutaways is neither the time nor the place.  

4. Breaking Bad- I've never done a write-up of this show.  That is coming in the future, but more than likely will have to be a series of write-ups.  It is every bit the masterpiece you may have already discovered, or at the very least heard of.  I caught onto Breaking Bad probably around the airing of the third season and became one of the die-hards.  I can't say whether it is the "best show ever made" or not like some others have boldly claimed.  It certainly is in contention with a few other (The Shield, The Sopranos, The Wire, and now True Detective) but it is certainly a unique animal.  I've started slowly re-watching it from episode 1.  What strikes me most is how different in pacing and tone season one is from its successors.  Vince Gilligan really started with a family man we could all get behind before tearing him to the ground.  Maybe I'll be ready to write more after I finish it the second time around.

3. Orange is the New Black- Netflix has done a really nice job with their original programming.  Starting with the spiritual sequel to The Sopranos, Lilyhammer, and continuing almost daily, they have really created a new type of viewing experience.  Orange is the New Black is, to me, the greatest of their many accomplishments to date.  There is certainly a strong argument to be made for House of Cards, and to a lesser extent the fourth season of Arrested Development, but as of now this one reigns supreme.  We've seen a similar story out of the show's creator, Jenji Kohan in Weeds, but Orange is the New Black feels like a more mature, calculated approach to the "middle class white woman is thrust into a world that is anything but" story.  Season 2 is dropping this summer.  Don't miss the boat.  Catch up now.

2. It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia- Because, duh.

1. Lost- My Lost obsession has gone from abnormal to unhealthy.  Dinner time?  Nope, sorry that is Lost time.  Should I take a shower?  Not until I can afford a TV in my shower for Lost.  I imagine that many a reader has had this experience before, but with the introduction of Ben Linus and The Others into the mix, I am in full-on bodily neglect mode.  I may have some trouble explaining what that mason jar full of pale yellow liquid is, but it's totally worth it.

That is what I have been watching this week.  In the limited time I've been able to yank myself away from Jack, Kate and Locke, I've squeezed in some good, hearty laughs and a little bit of time for "The One Who Knocks".  What are you watching?  Am I missing some great series?  Let me know and I'll try to fit them in.  After a few episodes of Lost, that is.

Features-The Jerk's 5 favorite Netflix shows 2/6/14

5. Sons of Anarchy- I have sort of a love/hate relationship with the boys of SAMCRO.  I love the club and the familial unit they have formed and I hate how ridiculous it has gotten as of late.  It has the Weeds disease.  It tries to do too much when we liked it the way it was before.  Still, it's a good drama that provides enough action to keep even Michael Bay fans involved in its story.  

4. Bob's Burgers- This is a new one for me.  I had never seen Bob's Burgers until this week.  There is something about a grown man watching more than 5 cartoons regularly that is unsettling.  But Bob's Burgers is worth being unsettling.  It is funny.  And it doesn't really reach for much more.  It has no agenda, it has no point, it's just funny.  The perfect way to kill 22 minutes.

3. It's Always Sunny In Philadelphia- Sunny is at number 3 this week.  I just didn't watch enough of it.  And I have to admit I feel weak.  Like I didn't drink, snort, smoke, or rectally absorb enough of The Gang.  It will make a comeback next week.  I already have a day blocked out for it.

2.  Wilfred- Part of the reason I didn't watch enough Sunny this week was because of this little guy right here.  There is just something about watching Frodo get baked on his couch with an Australian mutt that I find hilarious.  This comedy has gained some notoriety in the last couple of years, but is still mostly a well-kept secret.  Get in on it.  It is designed for binge-watching.

1. Lost- Well it's consumed me.  If Wilfred was designed for binge-watching, then Lost was designed for television addicts.  This show.  This goddamn show.  I have slept about 12 hours this week because I can't turn it off.  It's incredible.  And it's good, but not great.  It's certainly no Breaking Bad.  It's not The Shield.  But they end every episode by forcing you to watch the next one.  I have been mainlining Lost for the last week and still have a long way to go.  

Features-The Jerk's 5 favorite Netflix shows 1/28/14

5.  Weeds- Remember when this show was good?  I mean really good and fresh?  Well I've gone back to discover that time, and what a time it was.  A suburban housewife selling weed to keep up appearances.  Before the cartels, and the tunnels, and New York there was just Nancy, Shane, Silas, Andy, and Doug.  It was funny and it was a joy to watch because the stakes weren't too high.  We never wanted Nancy to be in real danger, as much as we might have said we did.

4.  Law & Order: SVU- What a great, awful show.  It is the same formulaic show week in and week out, but God bless it.  There is something comforting about being able to sit down and know that within the time span of 42 minutes, Mariska Hargitay and Christopher Maloni are going to find a victim, narrow down suspects, find their killer/rapist/diddler/pornographer/serial whatever and mess him up.  The Wire, it ain't.  But still a solid way to kill an hour.

3.  American Dad- This one is a main-stay.  That is because I maintain after 3 years that this is the most rewatchable show on Netflix, and one of the funniest on television.  Stan is funnier than Peter, Francine is funnier than Lois, Roger is funnier than Brian and Stewie combined, and Haley is funnier than Meg.  For a show whose premise should make it insufferably political (as many Family Guy episodes are) the audience has remained small enough that it doesn't serve as a political mouthpiece for its creator.  It is wonderful.  Watch it.

2.  Lost- I've taken the plunge.  Into insanity, quite literally.  How can a show make so little sense and be so compelling?  Seriously?  I started watching Lost a few years back but this was before the days of Netflix Instant streaming (holy shitballs I'm old) and $50 seasons just weren't possible for a college kid with a drinking problem.  Not much to say about this one really.  If you're curious, watch it.

1. It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia- This feature's variety may have died with the addition of IASIP to the instant streaming service.  It is the funniest show ever made.  And there are 9 seasons of it, each episode funnier than the last with very few misses in its history.  No show has brought me a fraction of the unbridled joy or laughter that Sunny has.  If you haven't met The Gang yet, I strongly suggest you take a few days off work/school and dig in.  You've got some viewing to do.

Features-The Jerk's 5 favorite Netflix shows 8/22

It's been a little longer than a week since I was able to update the best of the best Netflix has to offer on the boob-tube.  But alas, I have returned with a list of what all of you Jerks should be watching.



5.  Deadliest Warrior- What a manly show.  "Let's take 2 killers and test their weapons to see who would kill who".  With warriors like Jesse James, Shaka Zhulu, and The Nazi SS, there is no shortage of carnage dealt forth in the labs.  Inaccurate as the tests may be, it is still just awesome to watch weird dudes with big guns tear stuff apart.

4.   American Dad-  Family Guy sucks pretty badly.  I hate to say that but it undoubtedly just sucks.  American Dad is a different story altogether.  Seth Macfarlane takes the "Like that time I"'s out of his overweight, high-voiced man-child and replaces them with one of the wittiest, most ridiculous, but mainly- American men to ever grace our screens.

3.  Park and Recreation- I was born ready.  I'm Ron f*cking Swanson.  Watch Leslie Knope, Tom Haverford, and the rest of the Parks Department take on menial, at best irritating problems with the veracity and passion of- well I can't think of a branch of our government that cares this much.  That sucks.

2.  Trailer Park Boys- The boys just want to drink liquor, smoke dope, and live like kings in Sunnyvale Trailer Park.  Is that so much to ask?  Apparently it is.  Trailer Park Boys is the remarkably, stupidly genius Canadian comedy about Ricky, Julian, and Bubbles living the white trash dream.  Despite their best efforts the boys just seem to wreak of arrest warrants.  Give this little-known gem a try when you miss out on that promotion.  You deserve it.

1.  South Park- Every now and then I go on a South Park kick that makes me wonder why I am not always on a South Park kick.  Cartman, Kenny, Stan, and Kyle may have some pretty messed up adventures, but their friendship has kept me in stitches for over a decade now.  Keep it up boys.  Never reach middle school.

Features-The Jerk's 5 favorite Netflix shows 8/2

These aren't the 5 most critically acclaimed shows available through Netflix.  They aren't the 5 most watched shows on Netflix either.  These are the 5 shows on Netflix that get the most viewing from this Jerk.  I love watching movies on Netflix- LOVE IT.  But more often I need to relax after a day of school and work and just gaze blankly into the boob-tube.  These are the best shows to enjoy when you just need to enjoy a show.

5.  American Dad-  Family Guy sucks pretty badly.  I hate to say that but it undoubtedly just sucks.  American Dad is a different story altogether.  Seth Macfarlane takes the "Like that time I"'s out of his overweight, high-voiced man-child and replaces them with one of the wittiest, most ridiculous, but mainly- American men to ever grace our screens.

4.  The Office- The Office has fallen off a bit in recent years.  I'll be the first to admit that.  But there was a time when Michael, Dwight, Jim, and the rest of our weekly co-workers made us enjoy Thursday nights.  We all clearly enjoy Thursdays for It's Always Sunny In Philadelphia now, but The Office is what we can stream instantly anytime.  Never a bad choice after a particularly horrible day at work.

3.  Intervention- This is going to sound bad.  I am giving you ample warning.  But there is nothing better than being able to say "Hey, at least I'm not that guy".  I told you it would sound bad.  But it is so true.  Relax.  Kick your feet up.  Crack open a cold one.  Hell, crack open 6.  Because I guarantee you can flip this show on and confidently say "It's okay.  At least I don't huff computer air-duster and walk on sunshine all day".

2.  Chappelle's Show- Sketch comedy is great.  Shows like SNL, and MADtv are pretty enjoyable.  Dave Chappelle reinvented sketch comedy.  In 2 (sort of 3) seasons, Dave Chappelle turned sketch comedy from something you chuckle absently at, to something you laugh uncontrollably, constantly at.  Everything about this is amazing.  The stand-up, the sketches, the cast, the writing- everything.  What a shame Dave Chappelle retired.  No less, this show will remain a testament to one of the funniest men of the last 20 years.

1.  Trailer Park Boys- The boys just want to drink liquor, smoke dope, and live like kings in Sunnyvale Trailer Park.  Is that so much to ask?  Apparently it is.  Trailer Park Boys is the remarkably, stupidly genius Canadian comedy about Ricky, Julian, and Bubbles living the white trash dream.  Despite their best efforts the boys just seem to wreak of arrest warrants.  Give this little-known gem a try when you miss out on that promotion.  You deserve it.

And stay tuned!  These shows will be updated weekly according to what the Jerk is currently watching.  Leave a comment. Tell me what I am missing out on.